Articles

Iowa State University agronomy professor Matt Liebman will discuss agricultural stability during the Iowa Learning Farms’ webinar Wednesday, Sept. 19, at 11:30 a.m. All that is needed to participate is a computer with Internet access.

The successful distance education program SowBridge will begin its fifth year Nov. 7. Iowa State University animal science professor and extension swine specialist Ken Stalder said suggestions from subscribers help maintain the program’s value.

The Iowa State University Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic confirmed today that the spotted wing drosophila (SWD), an invasive pest that can cause damage to many fruit crops, has been found in Story County, Iowa.

Children of all ages are more likely to be motivated in school when parents stay positive about school and homework. In September learn how to make homework a positive part of children’s school experience in the Science of Parenting blog from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Geraniums, a popular flowering plant, will be destroyed by the first hard frost, unless gardeners can take steps to over-winter them. Horticulturalists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach tell how to overwinter geraniums indoors.

More Iowa farmers are cutting corn for silage this summer due to the extreme heat, dryness and crop conditions. Because of the increased silage production, the possibilities for silo gas and related health issues have increased, according to Chuck Schwab, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach farm safety and health specialist.

Cherokee, Delaware, Pocahontas and Poweshiek counties have added to Iowa 4-H History by County, a blog detailing the history of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H Youth Development. The history blog is a partnership of the Iowa 4-H program and the Iowa 4-H Foundation.

People who need to be recertified as Pork Quality Assurance Plus® Advisors under the National Pork Board's PQA Plus program are invited to attend a session set for Nov. 19 in Ames. The Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University is hosting the morning session, which will run concurrently with an initial daylong PQA Plus certification session.

Outstanding 4-H’ers from across Iowa have been awarded 4-H scholarships from the Iowa 4-H Foundation and were honored in a scholarship recognition ceremony at the Iowa State Fair. Information is available about individual recipients by county.

Peonies can thrive for up to 100 years if maintained properly. Horticulturists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach answer questions about peony care, specifically how and when to divide the plant.

Cindy Thompson recently joined the ranks of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach as a family life/family finance program specialist in northeast Iowa. Thompson will work from the Chickasaw County Extension and Outreach office in New Hampton.

Iowa 4-H and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach have begun to develop a greater focus in the area of science, engineering and technology through programs like STEM, GIS mapping and more. One Iowa 4-H’er took his interest in engineering a step further last summer by becoming the youngest intern at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids.

Gears, motors and balloons were a highlight during the 2012 Bratney Companies 4-H Robotics Challenge at the Iowa State Fair. Teams from across the state competed in this two-day event at the 4-H Exhibits Building. Award winners have been announced.

Iowa Learning Farms and Wapello County NRCS will co-host a field day near Martinsburg on Friday, Sept. 7, focusing on cover crop management for optimum results as part of the Competine Creek Watershed project. The field day is free and the public is invited to attend. A free lunch will follow the field day program.

Choosing the right grass species is the first step in establishing or reestablishing a lawn. Horticulturalists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach answer questions about establishing turfgrass.